Machine for applying elastic caps to containers



Oct. 31, 1939. E. N. LOWRY MACHINE FOR. APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 2; 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 z; liflilllllllll I E. N. LOWRY MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 2, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 j INV NTOR.-

ATTORNEYS.

FE 4f E. N. LOWRY Oct. 31, 1939.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS 'ro CONTAINERS Filed April 2, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV NTOR ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 31, 1939. E. N. LOWRY 2,178,429

MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS T0 CONTAINERS Filed April 2, 19:55 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 nnj NTOR.

A'Y'TORNEYS m 31,1939. Y E. N. LOWRY. 2,178,429

MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS TO- CONTAINERS f' {01; INVENTOR."

' V Y @f Z TTORNEYS.

Oat. 31 1939. E. N. LOWRY 78, 9

' MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS T0 CONTAINERS I Filed April 2, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 AT'T RNEYS 25 cap engaging position.

Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR APPLYING ELASTIC CAPS TO CONTAINERS Application April 2, 1935, Serial No. 14,325

18 Claims.

This invention relates to container capping machines, and more particularly to a machine for applying caps formed of elastic material such as rubber, Pliofllm, and the like.

An object of the invention is a machine of the 'type referred to of such construction as to effectively and automatically apply elastic caps to ,containers, such as milk bottles, with the minimum consumption of time.

A further object of the invention is such a machine constructed with a simplified operating mechanism employing a minimum of maintenance, and which will operate under conditions found in the dairy without failure.

5. The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like 20 characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, parts being removed, of a hand operated capping machine with the cap applying mechanism shown in the Figure 2 is a viey taken on lines 2- 2, Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged, front elevation, partly in section, of the cap applying mechanism simi lar to that shown on the machine in Figure 1.

30 with the top portion of a milk bottle in position to receive a cap.

Figure 4 is'a front elevation, partly in section,

of a power operated capping machine employing a modified type of finger to apply an elastic cap -35 of a different form from that shown in Figures Figure 5 is a view taken on lines 5-5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view taken on lines 6-6, Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view taken on lines 1-1, Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, partlyv in elevation, and partly in section, of the finger mechanism shown in Figure 4, 'showlngthe position of the fingers as the cap is applied to the bottle.

Figure 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a modification of the finger operating mechanism of Figures 1 and 3, and showing the cap applying fingers in lower position after the cap is applied to the bottle.

50 Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the magazine tube and cam collar shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged. cross sectional view of the elastic cap shown in Figures 3 and 9.

Figure 12 is a view, similar to Figure 11, of the i5. cap shown in Figures 4 and 8. I

Figure 13 is a bottom, plan view of the cap shown in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a view, similar to Figure 9, showing the cap applying fingers in elevated position.

This invention comprises generally, a bottle 6 capping machine for applying caps formed of elastic material to containers including means operable to engage the cap, stretch the same radially, efiect relative axial movement between the container and the stretching mechanism to 10 place the cap over the mouth and about the top of the container and subsequently, releasing the cap.

This machine is intended primarily to apply caps to milk bottles and the like, which caps are 15 of the cover-all type. That is, the cap not only acts as a closure for the mouth of the bottle, but includes a skirt portion which surrounds the top, or head, of the bottle and extends a distance down and about the neck of the bottle. The advantages and desirability of the cover-all cap from the standpoint of sanitation, 'and other reasons, is well known to those familiar with the One of the important features of this bottle 26 capping machine is that the mechanism for automatically engaging the cap, stretching the same radially, and applying it to the top hi the bottle, may be incorporated in a manually, or hand operated machine, such as disclosed in Figure 1 30 of the drawings, or it may be incorporated in an attachment for, and be operated by, the conventional bottle filling machine in the dairy plant. Or, the mechanism may be incorporated in a separate power operated machine. Another important feature of the machine is the construction by which the machine can be manufactured at a nominal cost, employs a minimum amount of space, is of no appreciable weight, and the operating mechanism being such that it will operate satisfactory, and without failure, under dairy conditions. These features will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. At the present time, machines for applying the cover-all type of cap are extremely 4 costly and bulky, and require electrical service for power, and in many instances, steam, or other means of applying heat. They constitute a separate and individual machine that must be added to the equipment in the dairy, occupying valuablefloor space, and result in an appreciable expenditure of money, both for the machine, and for maintenance and operation. Also, in machines now in use for applying cover-all types of caps, the construction and mechanism is such that it is not suitable for hand operation. In many instances, it is desired, by retail establishments, to have some means'of applying a coverall cap when the merchandise is occasionally dispensed in one bottle sales, or a few bottles a time. It will be readily appreciated, by those familiar with the dairy business, that my capping mechanism possesses a distinct advantage over any such machines now in use, in that it can be attached to the standard bottle filling machine at a small fraction of the cost of the large bulky cover-all capping machines, and when so attached, does not require special power, or heating service, and occupies no additional floor space.

In Figure 1, the cap applying mechanism is shown as incorporated in a hand operated machine which consists of a base 20, on which is secured a column or support 2 I, on the upper end of which is slidably mounted a support 22 which may be secured in any of a plurality of positions along the column 2| by a'clamp screw 23. The support 22 overhangs the base 20, and the overhanging portion is provided with a cylindrical bore to receive the tube 24 which is clamped in the support 22 by the clamp bolt 25. The tube 24 acts as a magazine for the elastic caps which are arranged therein in stack formation, the lower end of the tube 24 being open and provided with an annular shoulder 26. The periphery of the caps 21, see Figure 3 rests upon the shoulder 26..

In this instance, the caps 21 may be of the form shown in Figures 10 and 11, consisting of a discoidal top portion 28, and a bottom portion 29, provided with a'circular opening 30.

As here shown, the cap-applying mechanism consists of a plurality of fingers 35 somewhat hook shaped in general form, and being secured to the lower portion of the tube 24 by a pivotal connection. As here shown, the tube 24 is threaded, as at 36, to receive a threaded collar 31 which is provided with a plurality of radially extending projections 38, there being one projection for each finger 35 employed. Two of the fingers are omitted in Figure l, for the purpose of minimizing confusion of the view. The fingers 35 are conected to the collar or projections 38 by links 39. The inner ends of the links are pivoted to the projections 36, as at 40, and the outer ends of the links pivoted to the fingers between the ends thereof, as at 4|. It will be observed that the outer ends of the links 39 are provided with elongated holes 42.- A link 39 is employed on each side of a finger 35 and a projection 38, and a helical tension spring 43 is connected to'the pins or pivots 40, 4|. The action of the, springs 43 is to tend to pull the fingers 35'radially inward toward the axis of the tube 24. Theupper ends of the fingers 35 are pivoted to projections 44, as at 45. The projections 44 are formed integral with, or secured to, a sleeve 46 slidably mounted upon the tube 2d. The collar 46 is operated akially of the tube 24 by the lever 41 which is pivotally secured between its ends to the sleeve 46, as at 48. The lever 41 is of vY-iormation, and the ends of the leg portions 43 are bifurcated to receive the reduced portion 56 formed on the ends of the pin 5| which extends through the column 2|, and is held in place by a set screw 52. A. clamp collar 53 acts as a stop for the upward movement of the sleeve 46 which is normally maintained in the up position, as shown in Figure 1, by a helical tension spring The bottle 55 rests upon the base 2|]! and is positioned substantially axially of the tube 24 by an suitable means, as for example V block 56.

The column 2| is provided with a plurality of holes 58 to receive the pin 5|. These holes are spaced relatively so as to permit adjustment of the support 22-axially of the colunm 2| so that the machinewill accommodate different sizes of bottles, such as quarts, pints, and half pints. The support 22 is adjusted axially of the column 2| by loosening the clamping nut 23 and adjusting the support 22 and again tightening the clamping nut. The pin 5| is readily removable from any of the holes 58 by looseningthe set screw 52.

It will be observed that upon downward movement of the lever 41, a downward movement will also be imparted to the fingers 35, and because of the link connection to the tube 24, or collar 31, the lower ends of the fingers 35 will travel in a vertical arcuate path, the relative positions of the moving parts being indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

The cap applying mechanism, shown in Figure 3, is of the same construction as that thus far described in connection with Figure 1. However,

the slidable sleeve 46, in Figure 3, is arranged to be operated by power. and action of the fingers 35 is the same as in Figure l.

The lower ends of the fingers 36 extend radially inwardly, or the fingers may be provided with radially inwardly extending arms. In this instance, the ends of the fingers, or arms, are provided with hooks 60 for engaging the caps 21. Preferably, the lower side, or edge, of the lower ends of the fingers 35 are provided, or formed,

with tail pieces 6|, the tail piece 6| extending in angular relationship to the inwardly extending portion of the finger. The purpose of the tail piece 6| is to effect' movement of the bottle 55 in the event that the bottle is not properly centered relative to the tube 24, or in the event that the top of the bottle is over-size, or not concentric with that portion of the bottle controlled by the centering mechanism, or V block 56. The finger operating mechanism is laid out in such proportions that the inner ends of the fingers 35 will, during operation, clear the top of the bottle and pass through an arcuate path a short distance awayirom the head of the bottle. However, should the bottle be considerably over-size, the tail pieces 6| will engage the top of the bottle, and the lower ends of the fingers will be permitted to move radially outwardly, because of the elongated holes 42 in the link 33. Thus, an over-size bottle can not damage. the cap applying machanism.

The collar 37 is preferably adjustable axially of the tube, as by'a threaded connection 36. This feature is desirable in making an initial adjustment of the position of the fingers 35 so that the hooks 60 properly engage the caps 2'5. In Figure l, the fingers may be initially adjusted axially of thetube 24 by eilecting relative rotary movement between the collar 31 and the tube 24 and after the collar 31 is thus adjusted, the clamp stop 53is likewise adjusted. In the mechanism shown in Figure 3, the collar 46 is operated axially of the tube 24 by a slide member 62 which is power actuated, as will be hereinafter described. The

-member 62 is secured to the collar 46 by cap screws 63 which pass through the elongated slot 34 in the slide member 62 and thread into the upper portion of the collar 46, or thread into a yoke 65, the ends of which are secured to the However, the movement upper portion of the collar 46 by cap screws 66.

'I'his yoke construction is similar to that shown in connection with Figures 4, 5 and 6.

The mechanism shown in Figure 9 will now be described, inasmuch as it applies to the same type of cap as referred to in Figures 1 and 3. As here shown, the lower inwardly extending arms or portions 10 of the fingers 35 are formed, or arranged, at a greater angle to the body of the finger than in the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 3, the arm 10 extending nearly at right angles to the body of the finger. ends of the fingers 35 are pivotally connected to thesleeve 46, as at 45, in a manner similar to that referred to in Figures 1 and 3. However, the arcuate movement of the lower ends ofthe fingers is imparted by a cam action in place of the link connection referred to previously. As here shown, the lower end of the tube 24 is also threaded as at H, and a collar screwed thereon being provided, or formed, with a plurality of radially extending projections 12, the outer edges of which constitute a cam surface to efi'ect movement of the fingers 35 when the same are oper-' ated axially of the tube 24. The upper portion 13 of the cam surface 12 extends downwardly and outwardly. The intermediate surface 14 extends substantially vertically and merges with the lowermost vertical surface 15 through the short anular surface 16.

The fingers 35 ,are formed, or provided, with inwardly extending projections 16, at the inner end of which is 'pivotally mounted rollers 11. As here shown, the projections 16 comprise fiat members secured by rivets, or the like, at 18 to each side of the fingers, and the rollers 11 are pivoted between the inner ends of the fiat members which extend inwardly slightly beyond the periphery of the rollers. The projection 12 and the various cam surfaces 13 to 15 are substantially the same width as the rollers 11, and the projecting fiat members act as a guideto prevent the rollers from slipping off from the cam surfaces, see Figures 9 and 14.

In this construction, the upper ends of the fingers 35 are pivoted to the slidable sleeve 46,

as at 45, as in the structure previously described. The sleeve 46 is reciprocated by the slide members 62. The fingers 35 extend upwardly beyond the pivot point 45, as at 82, and the spring '80 is inserted between the end portion 82 of the finger and the sleeve 46, the sleeve being pro-- vided with a suitable recess in alinement with each of the fingers to hold the spring 89 in place. The function of the springs is to tend to move the fingers 35 radially inwardly toward the axis of the tube. It will be observed that upon a downward axial movement of the sleeve 46 and the fingers 35, the fingers will move radially outwardly because of the contact of the rollers 11 with the cam surface 13. This movement is such that the lowermost cap 27 in the stack is engaged by the hooks 60 removed from the lower end of the tube 24 and stretched radially outwardly.

The cap is held in the stretched condition by- The upper operated machine.

of the skirt portion of the cap and permit said lower edge of the skirt to snap inwardly against the neck of the bottle. .Upon elevation of the sleeve 46, the fingers move upwardly .passing over the cam surfaces in reverse order, and the hook portions engage another cap in the bottom of the tube 24.

The cam surfaces 13, 14, 15 and I6 are so formed that the inner ends of the arms 10 travel in a path in spaced apart relationship from the outside of the bottle top. Or, in other-words, sufiicient clearance is maintained between the top of the bottle and the inner ends of the arms, so that when the arms travel in the upward direction after the cap has been applied to the bottle, the ends of the fingers will not engage, or rub, against the cap on the bottle. Figure 14 illustrates the position of the fingers when in elevated relationship, and Figure 9 illustrates the position of the fingers in the lowermost position. It will be understood that initial adjustment is made in this construction similar to that previously described in connection with Figures 1 and 3. That is, the cam collar is adjusted on the thread H and the sleeve 46 is accordingly adjusted relative to the slide member 62. As here shown, the cam collar is formed of one piece. However, the collar portion may be formed of a casting or the like, and the radial projections 12 may be formed of steel and inserted in, or secured to, the collar portion and the cam portions 13, 16, hardened to prevent wear.

The mechanism shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 'l and 8 in part relates to the application of a different form of cap. As previously stated, the operating mechanism of my invention may be incorporated in either a hand machine, or power The hand machine is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 3 and 9 the cap applying mechanism is shown as operated by the slide 62.

Referring now to Figure 4, the mechanism will be described whichimparts the sliding movement to the member 62 and collar 46.

An important feature of my invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts whereby the capping machine may readily be incorporated in the standard bottle filling machine in the dairy plant. Or, in other words, the capping machine consists of a small, portable unit which may be readily attached to, or removed from, the standard bottle filling machine and accordingly, does not occupy any additional fioor space in the dairy and does not require special, or separate, power to operate the machine. As shown in Figure 4, the magazine tube 24 is secured in a discoidal casting 90. which, in turn, is detachably secured to the bracket 9| which is secured to a suitable part of the bottle filling machine, or if the capping machine is not used in connection with the regular bottle filling machine, the bracket 9| would be incorporated as part of the frame, or support, of the capping machine. On the upper portion of the tube 24 is rotatably mounted a barrel cam 92 provided with a cam groove 93. The discoidal casting, or support is providel with a guide for the reciprocating slide 62, the guide being here shown as a detachable casting 94 secured to the support 90 by cap screws 95. The guide 94 is provided with a slot 96 extending in a general radial direction from the axis of the tube 24 and being open on its inner side. Opposed side walls of the slot 95 are provided with slots for receiving the sides of the slide 62 to the upper end of which is secured a pin 91 which extends through the open side of the slot 90', and on the inner end of which is mounted a roller 90 formed to coact with the cam slot 93. It will now be observed that upon rotation of the cam 52, the slide 62 is moved axially of the tube 24. A gear I00 is secured, or attached, to the upper end of the cam 82 and meshes with a gear train driven by the operating mechanism of the bottle filling machine, or if the capping machine is not attached to the bottle filling machine by separate application of power. This portion of the operating mechanism is employed in connection with the construction shown in Figures 3 and 9.

The elastic cap, shown in connection with Figures 4, 8 and 12, is discoidal in general form with the portion comparatively thin and gradually increasing in thickness toward the periphery of the cap. In other words, the periphery of this cap is of appreciably greater thickness than the center portion. Obviously, this cap can not be engaged with the same type of finger as previously described.

Referring to Figure 4, the fingers 35 are pivoted at their upper ends to the radially extending portions 44 on sleeve 45, as at 45, and are connected to the fixed collar 31 by links 30 in substantially the same manner and functioning in the same way as previously described in connection with Figures 1 and 3.

The fingers 35 are provided with means for engaging the discoidal cap. This means consists of a gripper member IOI pivoted between its ends at I02 to outwardly extending projections I03. The inner portion of the gripper IN is provided with a shallow recess I04 and the inner ends of the fingers 35 are rounded, as at I05, whereby the peripheral margin of the cap may be gripped between the inner end of the grippers IOI and the inner end of the finger 35. The inner ends of the grippers IOI are normally maintained in spaced apart relationship from the inner ends of the fingers 35 by springs I05. Means is provided for automatically operating the grippers IM to engage the cap while it is being applied to the bottle, and releasing the cap after it is applied,

The outer end of the-gripper MI is formed with a cam surface I01 which eoacts with a roller I00 which is pivoted at I09 between the links IIO which are, in turn, pivoted to the fingers 35, as at II I. The pivot I00 also passes through the lower end of a push rod II2 which extends upwardly substantially parallel with the body of the finger 35. The collar 31 is provided with an annular flange I I3 which is formed with a plurality of radially extending slots through which the fingers 35, rods 2, extend and operate. The radial projections 44 extend outwardly a short distance beyond the pins 45, and are bifurcated to receive the upper ends of the fingers 35, and also to form a slot through which the push rods 2 operates, the push rod II2 being held in place by pins II5. The-push rod H2 is provided with a pair of spaced apart stops II4 which coact with the annular flange I I3. In Figure 4, the operating mechanism is shown in its up position with the lower stop II4 contacting the under surface of the flange II3, this causing relative downward movement of the push rod H2 and roller I03.

causing the roller to coact with the cam surface I01to rotate the gripper IOI about the pivot I02 and engage, or grip, the cap against the inner ends I05 of the fingers 35. The cam surface I01 extends outwardly beyond the axis of the pivots I09, I I Land accordingly, the gripperwill maintain engagement with the periphery of the cap while the fingers 35, and associated mechanisms, are being moved downwardly to apply the cap to the bottle.

Figure 8 illustrates the position of the fingers and associated mechanisms just after the cap has been applied to the bottle. It will be observed that the upper stop II4 has engaged the upper surface of the flange I I3. This causes an upward movement of the push rod II2 which moves the roller to the outermost portion of the cam surface I0-1, permitting the grippers IOI to disengage the cap.

In connection with me application-of this particular cap, it may be desirable, or preferable, to

employ some means for separating the lowermost cap in the stack and transferring it to a position whereby it may be engaged by the fingers and grippers. It has been found that no feeding mechanism whatever is necessary in connection with the cap previously described in connection with Figures 1, 3 and 9. One form of feeding mechanism is shown in connection with Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This mechanism consists of a plurality of separators I20, there being here employed four, the separators I being formed in the nature of fiat disks having a spiral groove cut in the periphery. The separators I20 arearranged about the outside of the tube 24 which is provided with slots I25 and through which the separators I20 extend so that a portion of the periphery of the separator extends into the bore of the tube 24. The separators I20 are pinned, as at I25, to the lower ends of vertically extending shafts I21. The shafts apertures in the collar 31 and support 90. A small spur gear, or pinion I23 is secured to the upper end of each of the shafts I21.

The discoidal caps I23 are arranged in stack formation in the'tube 24 and rest upon the separators I20. The spiral groove or thread cut in the periphery of the separators I20 is such that upon one revolution of the separators I20, the lowermost cap in the stack is separated from the stack of caps and fed downwardly to the bottom I21 extend through end of the tube 24. The separated cap rests upon shoulders I3I which extend inwardly a short distance from the bore of the tube 24. The lower end of the tube 24 is provided with a plurality of slots I32 through which the inner ends of the fingers 35 and the grippers IOI operate to engage the selected, or separated, cap resting upon the stops or shoulders I3I. Means is provided for imparting a rotatable motion to the separators I20, and for timing such motion relative to the operation of the fingers 35 so that the lowermost cap of .the stack is separated and fed down to the shoulders I3I while the previously separated cap is being applied to the bottle. As here'shown, a spur gear I35 is secured to the lower end of the cam 02. The gear I35 meshes with gear I30 which operates the train of gears I31, I33, I30, I40. One of the pinions I20 is of double width and meshes with the last gear I 40 of the train, and each of the gears I28 mesh with internal gear I which is rotatabiy mounted upon the support 00 and held in place by the detachable annular member I42. It will be observed that upon rotation of the cam 92, .each of the shafts I21 and shown may be supported in any convenientmanner. The cam 92 may be held from endwise movement by fixed collars I44.

It is to beunderstood that a suitable bottle support, as shown in Figure 1, is employed in connection with the mechanism shown in Figures 3, 4 and 9.

While I have shown the capping mechanism and machine in connection with the application of elastic caps to milk bottles it will, of course, be understood that the machine is such as to apply the caps to any type of container, the top of which does not exceed in size the elastic limit of the particular cap; The caps referred to in this application form no part of this invention. They can be formed in any size, and the mechanism described can obviously be so proportioned as to apply any particular size of cap.

It will be understood that the various constructions here shown and described may be modified 'to considerable extent without departing from the substance of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A machine for applying caps formed of elastic material to containers, including'a magazine tube formed to contain a number of caps arranged in stack formation, said tube being open at its lower end, a plurality of fingers pivotally secured to the lower portion of.said magazine tube, said fingers being provided with radially inwardly extending arms, and means operable to move said fingers about their pivots to cause the arms to successively engage the cap; remove the cap from the magazine; and subsequently stretch the same radially outwardly.

2. A machine for applying elastic caps to containers and the like, comprising a magazine for receiving. a plurality of caps in stack formation, a suitable container support arranged beneath the magazine, means operable for selecting the lowermost cap of the stack, stretching the same radially outwardly, and moving the same in stretched condition downwardly over and about the .top of the container, and subsequently re-' leasing the cap.

3. A machine for applying elastic caps to containers and the like, comprising a magazine for receiving a plurality of caps in stack formation, a

suitable container support arranged beneath the magazine, means operable for successively selecting the lowermost cap in the stack; stretching the same radially outwardly; and effecting relative axial movement between the cap in stretched stack formation, a suitable container-support arranged beneath the magazine, a carriage slidably mounted upon said magazine, an annular series of fingers pivoted at their upper ends to said carriage and having their lower ends formed to en gage and hold a cap, a plurality of links, each pivoted at one end to the magazine, and at their outer ends to said fingers between the ends. thereof, whereby upon axial sliding movement of the carriage relative to the magazine a vertical arcuate movement is imparted to the lower en of said fingers.

5. A machine for applying elastic caps to containers and the like, comprising a base, a vertical column mounted on the base, a support mounted on the column, a magazine carried by the suparcuate movement of the lower ends .of the fingersto stretch the cap radially outwardly and place the same over the mouth of the container.

6. A machine for applying elastic caps to containers and the like, comprising a base, a vertical column mounted on the base, a support mounted on the column, a magazine carried by the support and being arranged to receive a plurality of caps in stack formation, a carriage slidably mounted upon the magazine, an annular series of fingers arranged about the magazine and being pivoted at their upper ends to said carriage and having their lower ends extending radially inwardly to engage the lowermost cap of the stack when said carriage is in elevated position, and means cooperable upon axial movement of the carriage toward the base to effect a vertical arcuate movement of the lower ends of the fingers to stretch the cap radially outwardly, and place the same over-the mouth of the container, and means for adjusting said support axially of the column to accommodate bottles of different height.'

7. A-machine for applying elastic caps to containers and the like comprising a suitable frame, a-magazine for receiving a plurality of caps in stack formation, a suitable container support arranged beneath the magazine, a carriage slidably mounted upon said magazine, an annular series of fingers arranged about the magazine and being pivoted at their upper ends to said carriage, an annular member adjustably secured to the lower end of the magazine, a plurality of links each being pivoted at one end to said annular member, and their other ends pivoted to the respective fingers between the ends thereof, whereby upon axial sliding movement of the carriage relative to the magazine a vertical arcuate movement is imparted to the lower ends 'of said fingers, said annular member being adjustable axially of the magazine for adjusting the radial position of the lower ends of saidfingers when the carriage is in up position.

8. A container capping machine for applying caps formed of elastic material to the containers, which caps are normally of less diameter than the top of the container, said machine including means for holding a plurality of caps in stack formation, a plurality of fingers arranged in juxtaposition to said cap holding means, and. mechanism cooperable with said fingers to cause the same to successively, engage the lowermost cap of said stack; remove the same from the cap holding means; stretch the cap radially, and effect relative axial movement between the container and the fingers with the cap in stretched condition thereon to place the cap over the mouth and about the neck of the container, and subsequently release the cap.

9. A container capping machine for applying caps of elastic material to containers including a magazine provided with a bore to receive a plurality of caps in stack formation, a container support positioned beneath said magazine and arranged to position a container in substantially axial alinement with the magazine, a series of finger members arranged radially around the lower end of the magazine, mechanism operable to reciprocate said finger members collectively between the lower end of the magazine and the neck of the container, and means cooperable with said finger members to effect radial inward m0vement of the same as they approach the magazine to cause engagement with the lowermost cap in the stack, and toefiect outward radial movement of said finger members to stretch the cap radially during axial movement toward the neck of the container to place the stretched cap over the mouth and about the neck ofthe container, and subsequently release the cap.

, 10. A container capping machine for applying caps of elastic material to containers including a magazine provided with a bore to receive a plurality of caps arranged in stack formation, a container support positioned beneath said magazine and arranged to position a container in substantially axial alinement with the magazine, a series of finger members arranged radially around the lower end of the magazine, mechanism operable to reciprocate said finger members between the lower end of the magazine and the neck of the container, and means cooperable with said finger members to cause the same to move radially inwardly as they approach the lower end of the magazine, engage the lowermost cap of the stack formation and withdraw the same from the magazine during movement toward the neck of the container, and to effect radial outward movement of the fingers after removal of the cap from the magazine, whereby at the end of said axial movement the cap is stretched over the mouth and about the neck of the container.

11. container capping machine for applying caps of elastic material to containers including a magazine provided with a bore to receive a plurality of caps in stack formation, a container support positioned beneath said magazine and arranged to position a container in substantiallyaxial alinement with the magazine, a series of finger members arranged radially around the lower end of the magazine, mechanism operable to reciprocate said finger members collectively between the lower end of the magazine and the neck of the container, and means cooperable with said finger members to effect radial inward movement of the same as they approach the magazine and to effect engagement of the fingers with the lowermost cap in the stack, and to effect outward radial movement of the finger members to stretch the cap radially during the axial movement toward the neck of the container to place the stretched cap on the top edge of the container,

"and to move radially inward during further axial movement to place the cap about the neck of the container and release the same.

12. A bottle capping machine for applying bottle caps formed of elastic material, which caps are normally of less diameter than the top of the bottle, said machine comprising a tube open at the lower end and being formed to contain a plurality of caps in stack formation, a plurality of fingers arranged about the axis of said tube and being pivotally connected thereto, and being provided with radially inwardly extending cap engaging ends, means cooperable with said fingers to cause the same to move on their pivoted connection to engage the lowermost cap of said stack formation, stretch the same outwardly, and during such radial movement transfer the stretched cap over the top of the bottle, and subsequently move inwardly to release the cap about the neck of the bottle.

13. In a machine for applying elastic caps to bottles, which caps are normally of less diameter than the top of the bottle, said machine comprising a suitable frame, a bottle support, a tube arranged to receive a pluralityof caps in stack formation, a series offingers having means for engaging and holding a cap, a support for said fingers, means for efiecting relative axial movement between said support and fingers and the bottle support, and means cooperable with saidtube and the fingers to cause said fingers, during said axial movement, to engage the lowermost cap of said stack formation, stretch the same radially and apply the cap to the top of the bottle, and subsequently release the cap.

14. A bottle capping machine for applying elastic or flexible caps having a substantially fiat top 7 portion and a superimposed integral skirt portion provided with an axial opening to uncapped bottles or receptacles comprising means for supporting an uncapped bottle, means for receiving and supporting caps for'application to said bottles, and cap applying means including a plurality of circularly arranged fingers pivotally mounted at one end and having their opposite ends extending inwardly and adapted for engagement with the skirt portion of the cap, cam means engageable with said fingers for moving the latter radially into engagement with the skirt portion of the cap, and means for moving said fingers axially to remove one cap from said cap supporting means and to apply the same on the bottle.

15. A bottle capping machine for applying elastic or flexible caps having a substantially fiat top portion and a superimposed integral skirt portion provided with an axial opening to uncapped bottles or receptacles comprising means for supporting an uncapped bottle, means for receiving and supporting caps for application to saidbotties, and cap applying means including a plurality of circularly arranged fingers pivotally mounted at one end and having their opposite ends extending inwardly and adapted for engagement with the skirt portion of the cap, cam means engageable with said fingers for moving the latter radially into engagement with the skirt portion of the cap, and means for moving said fingers axially to remove one cap from said cap supporting means and to apply the same on the bottle, the radial movement of said fingers being effected by the axial movement thereof.

16. A bottle capping machine comprising means for supporting an uncapped bottle or receptacle, a cap receiving and supp rting member, a member slidably mounted on said cap supporting member, a plurality of circularly arranged fingers pivotally connected at one end to said slidable member and movable therewith and having their opposite ends adapted for engagement with the adjacent cap, cam means secured to said cap supporting member and engageable with said fingers for moving the latter radially, and means operatively connected to said slidable member for moving the latter axially.

1'7. In a bottle capping apparatus, in combination, a container for bottle caps, means slldable longitudinally oi said container for withdrawing caps therefrom, and cam means secured to said container and en'gageable by said slidable means for spreading the latter apart substantially radially of said container,

18. In bottle capping apparatus, in combination, a tubular container for bottle caps. eans slidable longitudinally of said container for withdrawing caps therefrom including a plurality of pivoted fingers-and 'cam means secured to said tubular container and engageable by said fingers for spreading said fingers apart.

' npwaan N. nowRY. 

